‘Love in Slow Motion’ Review: A Heartfelt Kuwaiti Rom-Com That Embraces Silence

Netflix continues to expand its collection of Arabic language romantic comedies with ‘Love in Slow Motion’, marking the third collaboration between the streaming giant and Eagle Films. Directed by Elie El Semaan, the film stars Kuwaiti actress Nour Al Ghandour alongside Ali Kakooli and premiered globally on July 23, 2026, with a runtime of just ninety-one minutes.

The premise is one familiar to rom-com enthusiasts. Haya and Jawad have been best friends for years, so close that they’ve never had to label their relationship. Just as Haya gathers the courage to express her feelings, Jawad reveals his engagement to Zeina, a well-known actress portrayed by Noha Nabil, causing Haya’s quiet plans to unravel before she can even speak.

What stood out to me while watching ‘Love in Slow Motion’ is its reluctance to rush through that gut-wrenching moment. The film allows Haya to linger in the discomfort of bad timing rather than quickly transitioning into scheming, and this patience proves rewarding. Nour Al Ghandour portrays Haya with a practiced brightness that subtly falters whenever the camera holds on her a moment too long, revealing the gap between the persona she presents to Jawad and her true self.

Ali Kakooli’s Jawad could have easily been depicted as a mere obstacle, but the film avoids casting him as a villain or particularly oblivious. Instead, he embodies a sense of comfort that becomes its own quiet dilemma, portrayed by Kakooli with a tenderness that feels genuine rather than cruel. Although Noha Nabil’s Zeina has less to work with, the script wisely refrains from turning her into a punchline or a mere hurdle; she is simply a woman who accepted a proposal from a man still emotionally tethered to someone else.

The film does stumble in its second act, leaning on familiar grand gestures and missed opportunities to create urgency that the characters have already earned authentically. I found myself wishing the film would trust its quieter instincts more instead of resorting to genre clichés once the emotional groundwork was firmly established. This highlights the difference between a film that understands the appeal of its premise and one that occasionally loses its way in pursuit of a satisfying conclusion.

Nour Al Ghandour has noted Jawad’s central flaw, stating in an interview with Milleworld that he often sought indirect ways to communicate with Haya rather than being straightforward. This insight aligns with what resonates most in the film: the moments when characters opt for evasion over clarity, facing the consequences in real time, long before any grand gesture attempts to mend things.

Visually, the film adopts an uncomplicated style that complements its tone, favoring warm interiors and lived-in spaces over glossy production design. This choice lends a sense of authenticity to the central friendship that a more polished film might sacrifice. The humor is effective, rooted in the unique rhythms of two individuals who have spent years finishing each other’s sentences. Even when the plot falters, the chemistry between the leads is strong enough to carry the film through its less compelling moments.

‘Love in Slow Motion’ is a charming, well-acted romantic comedy that understands its characters better than it trusts its plot mechanics. This imbalance prevents it from reaching its full potential, yet it remains genuinely enjoyable. Nour Al Ghandour and Ali Kakooli bring their central friendship to life, allowing me to overlook the film’s more predictable turns, resulting in a rom-com that earns its conclusion rather than simply arriving at it. I give it a final 8 out of 10.

Have you seen ‘Love in Slow Motion’ yet? Does Haya and Jawad’s slow burn resonate with you, or does the latter half lose its grip like it nearly did for me? Share your thoughts in the comments.